Elder Affairs Unit Serves Special Needs Of Seniors

October 8, 1995|By KENNETH R. WAGNER Hallandale Police Chief

Many Sun-Sentinel readers are aware of Florida demographics and the prevalence of senior citizens in our communities. What they may not be aware of, however, are the safety and security needs our elderly face daily.

Special needs of the elderly, including - but not limited to - crime victimization are especially evident in South Florida. Today, many of our elderly residents find themselves alone, frightened and, all too frequently, unsure of where to go for help.

Approximately three years ago, the Hallandale Police Department began an Elder Affairs Unit through which to address their needs. Although originally conceptionalized as a "Crimes Against the Elderly Unit," it rapidly assumed a more rounded responsibility. Not only are our elders all too frequently victimized, they are also frequently in need of special assistance.

To ensure that those needs are properly addressed, the Elder Affairs Unit of the department serves as a liaison between the person in need of assistance, family members, social services providers, and/or other criminal justice agencies. Our charge is to guarantee that problems affecting our elders are recognized, and addressed, in an expeditious and responsible manner.

To other criminal justice practitioners who might read this article, if you do not have such a unit in your agency, please consider instituting one. The Elder Affairs Unit within the Hallandale Police Department has been extremely responsive to the resolution of elder needs within our community.